College Football's 2013 All-Injury Team
The 2013 college football season could be remembered for the year of the injury. For whatever reason, key players are falling like rain drops out of the sky.
Poor conditioning? Bad luck? Call it what you'd like, but there are enough injured great players that you could combine their bumps and bruises and put together a respectable football team.
I'm still trying to figure out how these hobbled guys will suit up when it's time to go, but the idea of having an all-injury team just sounded too good to pass up.
Anyway, here's the best possible team of banged-up bodies. It includes a future NFL defensive tackle, a superstar running back and one of the best pass-rushers in the country.
Quarterback
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Chuckie Keeton, Utah State
Keeton was having a Heisman-type season before he tore his ACL and MCL in a loss to BYU in Week 6. He was completing 69.4 percent of his passes and had thrown for 1,388 yards and 18 touchdowns. At 6'2", he's also quite athletic and was able to pick up 241 yards on the ground and rush for two scores.
The junior quarterback was the bread and butter for Utah State. The Aggies aren't a team loaded with elite talent, but Keeton had more than enough playmaking ability to lead them to victories. Before he got hurt, they were 3-2 on the year and looking to win the MWC title.
They're still in position to make that happen with a 6-4 record, but a potential matchup against Fresno State without Keeton doesn't look too promising.
Honorable Mention: Bryn Renner, North Carolina
Running Back
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Duke Johnson, Miami
A case could be made that Johnson was the best running back in all of college football. Only a true sophomore, Johnson was averaging more than six yards per carry for the second season and was really the workhorse behind an explosive Hurricanes offense.
Johnson not only ran the ball like a monster, but he also caught the ball out of the backfield and even contributed on special teams. His combination of speed and power is elite status, and there's almost no doubt you will see this guy running on Sundays in the near future.
The talented runner broke his ankle against Florida State and is out for the remainder of the year.
Honorable Mention: Johnathan Gray, Texas
Wide Receiver
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Stefon Diggs, Maryland
The injury bug strikes Maryland once again. One season after losing nearly every possible quarterback on the roster, the Terrapins lost their best wide receiver to a broken leg.
Diggs was ruled out for the year with a broken right fibula after a loss to Wake Forest. Only a sophomore, he was one of the more promising receivers in college football. At 6'0", he's a speedster who can do a little bit of everything for Maryland. He caught 34 passes for 587 yards and three touchdowns, but he also ran the football at times and played on special teams.
This young receiver has a bright future and should be due for a breakout junior season.
Honorable Mention: Austin Hill, Arizona
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Tight End
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Gabe Holmes, Purdue
Holmes injured himself early in the season during a practice session. After just two games, he was forced to sit out the remainder of the season with an injured wrist. At the time of his injury, the senior tight end led the team with nine receptions and 69 yards.
His statistics aren't through the roof due to the struggling quarterbacks on the roster. However, Holmes is a nightmare to cover at 6'5" and with speed in the 4.6 range. He has caught 46 passes for 374 yards and three touchdowns in his career.
If Holmes was active, Purdue would probably have a better passing game (ranked 97th in the country.)
Honorable Mention: Kevin Haplea, Florida State
Offensive Lineman
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Spencer Long, Nebraska
Long suffered a knee injury in Nebraska's win over Purdue and was forced to have season-ending surgery.
The senior was one of four captains heading into the 2013 season and was an experienced lineman. He started 33 straight games and was even named second-team All-American last year. Before the injury, he was also a solid candidate for the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy.
The productive offensive guard, who stands in at 6'4", 315 pounds, may have a future in the NFL.
Honorable Mention: Chaz Green, Florida
Defensive Lineman
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Dominique Easley, Florida
You see how horrible Florida's defense has been recently?
Football is more than one person, but the injury to Easley is a big reason for those struggles. The dominant defensive tackle injured his knee a few weeks ago and has been sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Easley is high on NFL draft boards for a reason. He fires off the ball like he was shot out of a cannon, he uses his hands well and is capable of playing just about anywhere on the defensive line. You will see this guy play on Sundays, as he's already announced he's leaving for the next level. Losing a player of his magnitude can cripple a defense, as you have seen with the Gators.
Honorable Mention: Ben Gardner, Stanford
Linebacker
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Morgan Breslin, USC
Last season, Breslin was tied with UCLA's Anthony Barr for the Pac-12 lead with 13 sacks.
It goes without saying that USC lost a key player on the defensive side of the ball when interim coach Ed Orgeron announced Breslin would undergo hip surgery.
The senior outside linebacker was having another productive season this year, racking up 15 tackles, eight tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He flies off the ball and usually requires two guys to try and keep him in check. He's a handful and one of the best pass-rushers in all of college football.
Honorable Mention: Corey Nelson, Oklahoma
Cornerback
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Dexter McDougle, Maryland
Another Maryland injury?
I'm telling you, there's got to be something in the water.
The same way Stefon Diggs is a treat to watch on offense, Dexter McDougle provides a spark on defense. Before suffering a shoulder injury, the senior had 14 tackles and three interceptions. He returned one of those picks back for a touchdown.
McDougle has made plays his entire career, whether it was hitting a ball-carrier behind the line of scrimmage or playing shutdown coverage.
This injury hasn't helped the Terrapins, as they now have the eighth-best defense in the ACC.
Honorable Mention: Keon Lyn, Syracuse
Safety
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Vinnie Sunseri, Alabama
You wouldn't know it by watching Alabama play, but the defense lost an elite playmaker when Sunseri went down with a torn knee ligament.
The junior defensive back was the center fielder for the Crimson Tide, often flying to the football to deliver either the big hit or come up with an incredible interception. He reminds me a little of Tyrann Mathieu with his playmaking ability, and he was off to his best start this season.
Sunseri had 20 tackles, four passes broken up and returned both of his interceptions back for touchdowns.
Honorable Mention: Christian Bryant, Ohio State
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